Cargo container lifting equipment



Feb. 3, 1970 D. J. WYROUGH 3,493,258

CARGO CONTAINER LIFTING EQUIPMENT 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 10, 1967Feb. 3, 1970 D. J. WYROUGH 3,493,258

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CARGO CONTAINER LIFTING EQUIPMENT Filed Aug. 10, 1967 5 sheets-Sheet s Mo x w u \& 1

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CARGO CONTAINER LIFTING EQUIPMENT Filed Aug. 10. 1967 5 Sheets-Sheet 5United States Patent 3,493,258 CAR-GO CONTAINER LIFTING EQUIPMENT DavidJ. Wyrough, Roxboro, N.C., assignor to Midland- Ross Corporation,Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Filed Aug. 10, 1967, Ser. No.659,709 Int. Cl. B66c 1/00, 19/00 US. Cl. 294-67 2 Claims ABSTRACT OFTHE DISCLOSURE DESCRIPTION Within that portion of the transportationindustry served by the common carriers, there are substantial increaseseach year in shipments of goods packaged in cargo containers of the typeapproximating truck or railway car body sizes. There is also a strongshift in containerization toward standardization in the dimensions ofcontainers and lifting equipment and particularly in structure forconnecting lifting equipment to containers. However, because ofstandardization of the height and width of containers, structuralaspects of container handling equipment related to height and width ofcontainers are reaching rigid standardization; containers of differentlengths, e.g., twenty and forty foot lengths, are deemed necessary toadapt operations to inevitable differences in the sizes of shipments,the size of carrying media, and other factors which contributeflexibility and economy to freight-handling activity.

The design of cargo containers has rapidly assumed the type which is ofrectangular configuration in three perpendicular planes and comprisesfour top corner receptacles or fixtures at the corners of its uppersurface capable of receiving hooks, latches or such connecting means asis adapted to project downwardly from four corners of a frame-likelifting implement now known in the industry as a spreader.

Differences in container length necessitate the use of Spreaders ofdifferent sizes, e.g., at freight terminals, at which capability isdesired for receiving all types of containers or other packages fordelivery or forwarding further along respective routes of shipment.

Hence, essential objects of this invention are to provide a spreaderarrangement capable of handling cargo containers of different lengths;to provide a spreader arrangement that will substantially minimize thecost of equipmentnecessary for handling containers of different lengths;to provide equipment that is easily, securely, and conveniently stored,e.g., in the hold of a ship, on the top of containers or hatch covershaving a pattern of receptacles corresponding to its pattern of latches,with the latches interlocked with the receptacles.

These and other objects of the invention are achieved in a spreadercombination based upon the general concept that the basic component ofthe combination is a complete independent spreader called a masterspreader, constructed to interlock with cargo containers ofsubstantially shortest length to be handled in practical quantities.Another essential component is one or more auxiliary spreaders,generally of greater length. Such a spreader is termed herein as a slavespreader and has receptacles in its principal upper plane correspondingin "ice pattern with the latches of the master spreader. Much structureand some of the actuating facilities carried on the master spreader arenot duplicated on the slave spreader as both spreaders are normallyequipped with power-retractable guides and power-operated latches. Acontrol system may be provided in a preferred embodiment for bypassingthe latches and guides, most importantly the latches, of the masterspreader so that an operator cannot inadvertently detach the slave fromthe master.

In the drawing with respect to which the invention is described below indetail:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cargo container, an auxiliary or slavespreader in position on the top surface of a container, and a masterspreader with some minor parts not shown as supported by a crane inseparated but vertically aligned position above the slave spreader;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of a corner portion,essentially of a top corner fixture, of the container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of a corner unit of eitherspreader and part of the mechanism for activating the latch housed bythe unit;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal side elevation of the upper or master spreaderof FIG. 1;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are longitudinal side elevation and plan views,respectively, of the slave spreader of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a diagram of the hydraulic system which extends through and iscarried cooperatively by both spreaders of the foregoing figures; and

FIG. 8 is an electrical diagram for controlling elements of thehydraulic system illustrated in FIG. 6 as carried on a crane, the masterspreader, and the slave spreader.

With attention now to FIG. 1, a master spreader 5 of the single pointsuspension type is suspended from a crane 6 shown with a single cablelift 7 but typifying any type of crane capable of providing single pointsuspension for a sling-type rigged spreader 5. The master spreader 5 isof a self-leveling type, and by Way of example as illustrated anddescribed herein, utilizes selfleveling mechanism such as disclosed inUS. Patent No. 3,191,983.

The spreader 5 is basically a rectangular frame of generally planateconfiguration in the horizontal plane as operatively positioned. Itsstructure is reinforced by diagonal members arranged in X pattern fromcorner to corner of its periphery. Corner units 8, 9, 10, and 11constructed as shown in detail in FIG. 3 form the structure of all fourcorners of the master spreader 5 as well as the corners of the slavespreader 15. Each spreader is equipped with six retractable guides 16which may be of the pantograph type shown in the drawing and disclosedin US. Patent No. 3,101,967. These guides are provided for the purposeof bringing a latch 17 of each corner unit (see units 8 to 11 of themaster spreader and units 18 to 21 of the slave spreader) into verticalregistry with a corresponding receptacle (see receptacle 23 of FIG. 2)forming each of the top corner portions of the container 24.

A major difference in the master and slave spreader is that the slavespreader 15 has latch receptacles, i.e., receptacles 26, 27, 28, 29,which correspond in horizontal pattern to the latches of corner units 8to 11 of the spreader 5. The receptacles 26 to 29 have apertures 26a to290, respectively, similar to aperture 23a in FIG. 2. The spreader 15 isnecessarily designed with all structure within this pattern ofreceptacles disposed below the upper surfaces thereof so there is novertical interference of one spreader with the other when coupling thetwo Spreaders. For example, since actuating mechanism for retracting theguides 16 is conveniently located above the frame portion of the slavespreader, the guides are attached to the spreader frame longitudinallyexteriorly of the region in which the master spreader engages the slavespreader.

The axes of the latches 17 of either spreader may be regarded asdisposed within two longitudinal vertical planes and the spacing of suchplanes of the master spreader is equal to the spacing betweencorresponding planes of the slave spreader. Hence, apertures 26a to 29aof receptacles 26 to 29 are disposed within the longitudinal verticalplanes which contain the latch axis of corner units 18 to 21 and alsowithin corresponding planes of the master spreader in order to enablecoupling of the two spreaders.

As herebefore mentioned, the corner units 8 to 11 (master spreader) and18 to 21 (slave spreader) are structurally similar taking intoconsideration the Slight differences which differentiate them into rightand left. As shown, the corner units 18 to 21 are higher in the verticaldirection to dispose rollers 31, 32 at a greater height with respect tolatches of respective corner units. In this manner, more positiveguiding action is provided than needed for the master spreader in orderto compensate for the greater length and greater loads handled by theslave s reader.

The corner units are rigidly attached to the basic rectangular frameportion of the spreader by means such as welding. As shown, the webs ofthe beam members of the frame are cut out to permit partial insertion ofthe units Within the outer periphery of the rectangular frame portion.However, each corner unit is substantially outwadly disposed withrespect to the outer periphery of the rectangular frame to dispose theaxis of rotation of the shafts of latches 17 outwardly with respect tothe frame members of the rectangular frame. For example, shaft axes 35to 37 are located outwardly of the outer periphery defined by the framemembers 38, 39, 40, and 41. As suggested before, receptacle openings 26ato 29a are disposed also outside of this periphery. Corner unitsutilizing other types of latches may advantageously follow this generalarrangement of the corner units in respect to the rectangular frame.

To understand latch operation and structure, corner unit 10, shown indetail in FIG. 3, is exemplary except for difference of height in bothspreaders. The unit comprises a housing 44, the latch 17, rollers 31 and45 rotatably supported by the housing with portions of their peripheriesprotruding from one of the two outward facing vertical surfaces, i.e.,surface 46, of the housing, a roller 32 and another lower roller notvisible in FIG. 2 also rotatably supported by the housing and protrudingfrom the other outward surface 47 of the housing. The purpose of theserollers is to engage the vertical guide ways of ships or othercontainer-receiving structure. The unit also includes avertically-aligned rod-like switch actuator 48 supported by the housingin journal-bearing relation therewith but with freedom to move in itsvertical or longitudinal direction to actuate a switch 49 of the unit.Switch 49 is disposed within an electrical circuit, as indicated in FIG.8, to function as a safety device and prevent operation of the spreaderin the event the spreader is not squarely engaged with a container oranother auxiliary spreader with which interlocking is intended.

The latch 17 and the receptacle 23 are recognizable as standardcontainer couplings structure now adopted as standard by the UnitedStates of America Standards Institute, formerly the American StandardsAssociation. As shown, the latch 17 comprises a shaft 51 supported bythe housing in both journal and end-bearing relationship whereby thelatch is rotatable but has a fixed axial relation With the housing. Thelatch also has a downwardly tapered head 52 elongated in a horizontaldirection and attached symmetrically with respect to a shaft axis, andanother crank lever 53. The housing provides an upper chamber withinwhich the lever 53 is rotatable through at least 90 degrees, and anopening 55 in a longi' tudinally-facing surface of the housing.

Mechanism for actuating the latch includes a push rod 57 of the turnbuckle-type connecting with the lever 53 extending through the opening55 into connection with the crank arm 58 fixed on a shaft 59 journaledin the frame of the spreader with its axis extending transverselythereof. Latch-actuating mechanism further includes another crank arm 61attached to the shaft 59 and connected at a desired lever arm with thepiston rod of a double-acting cylinder 62. As shown, the housing of thecylinder is pivotally connected to an element 64 of the spreader frame.The shaft of axle 59 is rotatably supported within the spreader frameadjacent an end thereof and extends substantially through the frame in atransverse direction in order to be connected in operating relation withthe latches of both corner units at that end of the spreader. Rotationof the shaft 59 is stopped in one direction at a desired point by a stop65 fixed to the spreader frame. The stop is engaged by a pad extension66 of the lever 61 as the actuating cylinder 62 undergoes a contractingstroke.

While the practice of the invention is by no means confined to the useof a master spreader related to a supporting crane by a single point ofsuspension and provided with a self-leveling facility, the masterspreader 5 herein described comprises self-leveling mechanism actuatedprimarily by a double-acting cylinder 70 having one end anchored to thespreader frame and the other end anchored to a block longitudinallyshiftable within the frame of the spreader to which ends of cables 73,74, 75, and 76 are secured. Portions of the cables extend from a shackle77 around respective corner pulleys 81 to 84. Thus, the portions ofcables between the shackle and the pulleys may be lengthened at one endof the spreader while shortened at the other end to obtain leveling ofthe spreader while supporting an unbalanced load. In using a spreaderhaving a single point of suspension from a crane, the self-levelingfunction of the master spreader is required regardless of whether it isused independently as a container lifter or has attached to it the slavespreader and a container connected therewith. Hence, when the masterspreader is of the type illustrated, the cylinder 70 of theself-leveling mechanism is retained operatively within the hydraulicsystem regardless of the type of service and is not bypassed althoughthat portion of the hydraulic system of the master spreader foroperating the latches and the guides may be completely bypassed duringoperation of the slave spreader and the master spreader in intercoupledrelationship. However, leveling of the spreader is not a problem whenthe crane and master spreader are of the types providing a plurality ofpoints of suspension of the master spreader and the self-levelingmechanism may be dispensed in this instance.

FIG. 7 indicates that the master spreader carries a motor 85, an oilpump 86 driven by the motor, and a reservoir system including a tank 87.As the diagram of FIG. 7 shows, the pump is the source of hydraulicpower for operation of any hydraulic equipment on the master spreadersuch as the cylinder 70, and latch and guide cylinders similar to thosecarried on the slave spreader. The diagram indicates that the hydraulicsystem comprises quick-disconnect couplings 88 and 89 in the pressureand return lines 88a and 89a, respectively, extending between the masterand slave spreader. Cylinders 16a actuate the guides 16 and are dividedinto groups of three to which the flow of oil is cycled in one directionor the other by four-connection two-position reverse-flow solonoidvalves 91 and 92. Another similar solonoid operated valve 93 controlsthe flow in either direction to latch cylinders 62. Flow regulatingvalves 94 may be used in association with the valves 81, 82, 83, asshown, to regulate the passage of oil to each cylinder in either strokeof each cylinder. The coupling halves of couplings 88 and 89 arepreferably of the commercial type which comprise a valve element whichcloses the adjacent line upon separation of the halves to prevent escapeof liquid from the hydraulic system.

Because of substantial variation which may be adopted in electricalsystems for controlling the hydraulic system of the spreaders, FIG. 8 isintended to be schematic without presenting the wiring system in thefull detail possible. For example, many lines are gathered into a cableand lead out of the cable to a desired electrical device in the diagramof FIG. 8. With certain principals recited hereinbelow, the diagramshould be understandable to the skilled without full showing of allcircuit portions.

FIG. 8 pertains merely to an electrical control system for operating (1)the cylinder 70 of the tilting or selfleveling mechanism of the masterspreader 5, (2) the cylinders 16a of the slave and master spreadersdepending on Whether the two spreaders are connected, and (3) thecylinders 57 for shifting the latches 17 to latching or unlatchingpositions. Since a crane ordinarily performs many tasks and thus has anindependent control system, the diagram does not include electricalcontrols for raising and lowering the crane 6; the diagram thus hasreference only to spreaders 5 and 15.

The electrical system is arranged so that all lines between theoperators station in the crane and the master spreader may be groupedinto a single cable suspended from the crane to extend into and out acollector 100 on the master spreader. Except for an unbroken connection106 to the motor 85 on the master spreader, all pass throughquick-disconnect couplings 101 and 102 if the slave spreader is attachedto the master spreader. However, if the master spreader is operatedindependently of the slave spreader, then coupling half 101a is coupledwith coupling half 102a and all lines lead into a main junction box 104of the master spreader from which circuits are completed to the varioussolenoids, lights, switches, etc., of the master spreader. The couplingof coupling halves 101a and 10111 is indicated in dotted line.

It will be understood that substantially all circuits have lines Whichteminate in connector half 101a. While connector halves 101b (slavespreader) and connector half 102a (master spreader) mate or join withconnector half 101a, selectively in the actual circuits utilized may beachieved in the circuits which are completed through connector halves101b and 102a by providing the proper combination of mating terminals ofselected circuits within the connector halves 101b and 102a. In thismanner it is possible to utilize a green light 107 and an amber light108 to indicate latched and unlatched conditions, respectively, of thelatches of the master spreader when used independently but, also, toindicate latched or unlatched conditions of the slave spreaded latchesof the slave spreader in a similar manner when the latter is connectedwith the master. By selective circuit continuation starting within thecoupling half 101b, the solenoids of solenoid valves controlling theguides and the latches of the .master spreader are taken out of thesystem when the slave spreader is attached thereto. However, thecoupling half 101b has terminals mating with proper terminals within thecoupling half 101a to place circuits to the solenoid valves controllingthe guides and latches of the slave spreader into such completion as tobe operable by a button or switch in the operators station.

As the diagram of FIG. 8 indicates, a corner unit at each end of bothspreaders include a duplex switch (see switch 49 of FIG. 3) whichregisters the up or down relationship of the latch with itscorresponding receptacle. When switches 110 register rotation of thelatches to latched condition, a green lamp 107 is illuminated. Toenergize this lamp, the switches 49 and 110 of all corner units mustclose in series. In a similar manner, the opening of switches 110, andthe operation of switches 49 to indicate the up condition will energizean amber lamp 108 to indicate a condition of the spreader free of thecontainer wherein it is safe to lift the spreader clear of thecontainer. Lamps 107 and 108 are on the master spreader.

Simultaneously with the conditions which energize either lamp 107 or108, lamp or 116, respectively, within the crane operators post willalSO be energized. Simultaneously with the glowing of either lamp 115 or116, a corresponding relay switch 117 or 118, respectively, isenergized. The switch portions of these relay switches 117 and 118 arein parallelism within a power circuit not shown for operating the hoistof the crane 6. The purpose of switches 117 and 118 is safety, i.e., toprevent raising and lowering of the spreader unless all of the latchesare either latched or unlatched.

The hydraulic pumping system, which operates regardless of the spreaderused, is placed in operation by depressing a start button whichenergizes the motor 85, the operation of which is indicated by a lamp113. The solenoid valve 93 is spring-loaded to normally force thelatches into locked or latching position. A button type switch 122operates the solenoid valve 93 to rotate the latches to unlatchedposition which will be maintained as long as the button is depresed.Lamps 107, 108, 115, and 116 are affected by this maneuver as indicatedabove. Spreader leveling by operation of solenoid valve 124 is effectedthrough operation of a three-position switch 125. Switches in thecontrol assembly 126 enable separate raising and lowering of theretractable guides 16 of either spreader in two groups. With the slavespreader attached as shown, only the guides of the slave spreader areoperated. The circuits for operating the master spreader are temporarilydeactivated by construction of the quick-disconnect couplings 101 and102 with respect to guides.

The foregoing describes spreader equipment now known to be eflicient andsatisfactory where operations require the handling of cargo containersvarying in size and especially in the length thereof. The presentlydescribed spreader equipment is especially advantageous in reducing theinitial equipment costs.

What is claimed is:

1. Equipment for handling cargo containers of different lengths whichhave latch-receiving receptacles in the top surfaces thereof comprisinga master spreader, at least one slave spreader, latch-and-receptaclemeans for connecting the master and slave spreaders together as a singlecontainer-lifting unit, and latch means on the slave spreader forconnecting with containers, said master spreader associated withvertically adjustable means which supports the master spreader andconnects it to a support therefor;

electrically responsive actuating means for controlling the latchingmeans on both spreaders;

electrical switch means disposed in an operator station of saidequipment and electrical conducting means extending from said station toeach of said actuating means, said switch means disposed between anexterior power source and said conducting means, the portion of saidconducting means extending between the master and slave spreaders beingdivided into two cables of conductors of which each cable includes aquick-disconnect means comprising two coupling halves;

said switch and said electrical-conducting means being arranged incircuits of which conductors therefor terminate in a first coupling halfat the end of a portion of one of said cables carried by the masterspreader;

a portion of the other cable carried by the master spreader terminatingin a second coupling half mating with said first coupling half withconductors extending from the second coupling half to variouselectrically responsive devices of the .master spreader, said conductorsof the second half being mated with 3,493,258 7 8 afirst group ofselected conductors extending from electrical conducting means extendingfrom a power the second coupling half to various electrically resourceto an operator station on said support; sponsive devices of the masterspreader, said conseparate switch and second electrical conducting meanssaid slave spreader having cable means comprising a third coupling halfand a fourth coupling half, said third half being joinable with thefirst half, and the fourth half being joinable with the second half;

said cable means of the slave spreader comprising conductors mating witha second group of selected conductors terminating in said first couplinghalf when said spreaders are joined and the first and second couplinghalves are joined to the third and fourth halves, respectively, saidconductors of the slave spreader then completing circuits toelectrically responsive devices of the slave spreader and selectedelectrically responsive devices of the master spreader.

extending from said station to each of said actuating means, the portionof said second conducting means extending between the spreaders beingdivided into two cables of conductors of which each cable includes aquick-disconnect means comprising two coupling halves;

said switch and said second electrical-conducting means are arranged incircuits of which conductors therefor terminate in a first coupling halfat the end of a portion of one of said cables carried by the masterspreader;

portion of the other cable carried by the master spreader terminates ina second coupling half mating with said first coupling half withconductors extending from the second coupling half to variouselectrically responsive devices of the master spreader, said conductorsof the second half being mated with a first group of selected conductorsfrom the first half when the said two halves are joined; said slavespreader having cable means comprising a third coupling half and afourth coupling half, said third half being turnable with the firsthalf, and the fourth half being joinable with the second half; saidcable means of the slave spreader comprising conductors mating with asecond group of selected conductors terminating in said first couplinghalf when said spreaders are joined and the first and second couplinghalves are joined to the third and fourth halves, respectively, saidconductors of the slave spreader when completing circuits toelectrically responsive devices of the slave spreader and selectedelectrically responsive devices of the master spreader.

2. Equipment for handling cargo containers of different lengths whichhave latch-receiving receptacles in the top surfaces thereof comprising:

a master spreader associated with vertically adjustable means supportingthe spreader and connecting the spreader with a support therefor, saidspreader having a plurality of latching means horizontally arrangedalong its under surface for vertical passage into the receptacles of acontainer of one of said lengths, said latching means being movable to acondition and position, when disposed in said receptacles, preventingwithdrawal therefrom;

first actuating means for shifting said latches between a condition forentering said receptacles and said condition preventing withdrawal;

a slave spreader comprising a frame of a length providing an uppersurface in which receptacles mating with the latches of the masterspreader are arranged in a horizontal and vertical pattern similar tothat of said latching means;

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,034,659 5/1962 WilliSOn 29481said slave spreader having an undersurface 1n gener- 3 368 838 2/1968Reich ally parallel coextensive relation with said upper 3151904 10/1964gg g gl 294 67 surface and a plurality of latching means projecting3191983 6/1965 Gaglione 294 31 from said under surface disposed in apattern of 3:272:611 9 /1966 jorgensen 2 94.45 X

different horizontal lengths than said first-named pattern to disposethe second latching means for entry HARVEY HORNSBY Primary Examiner intoreceptacles of a container of correspondingly different length;

second actuating means for the latching means of the slave spreader;

US. Cl. X.R. 212; 29481

